rejuvenatement – not retirement

Reminded not too long ago that life is transitory, I begin each day in a slow deliberate way. After padding into our galley kitchen in slippers and robe, a morning ritual begins. Paper cone unfolded, fits inside the top half of a glass carafe. Five carefully measured tablespoons of fresh ground beans are placed inside. Two and one-third cups of boiling water held aloft, I pour just enough to saturate the grounds. And then I count. One-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three. Moist grounds aerate thirty seconds as I lean in to inhale. Water held aloft again, ever so slowly poured, counterclockwise. Dark liquid foams and slowly seeps into the glass carafe. Filter empties, save wet brown clinging to its sides. Paper sieve discarded, I pour steaming hot elixir into a white ceramic mug. Anticipation rising, I pad my way to the study and sit for that first sip. Eyes closed, savoring the taste and scent. And now, journal and pen in hand, I write. Thankful for this new day.

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56 thoughts on “New Day”

Oh I do love the detailed way you brew your coffee… I always have tea in the morning, and take my first cup of coffee a little later… but I do like to use my home-ground variety.. brewed carefully and oh that smell.

Excellent detail of this one morning ritual. I lumped coffee in with everything else. 🙂 Between your haibun and mine I’m reminded of a t-shirt quote: “All I need is a little coffee and a whole lotta Jesus!”

Geez, Lillian –
I’m reading this when it’s well past the perfect coffee time
I’ve moved on to decaf tea and possibly hot chocolate later if I deserve a sugar-free;) treat
here I am salivating for your coffee because of these delicious words
am:)

My wife does not care for coffee, but I do, so over the years, I’ve got out pf the habit of brewing it of a morning–but I’ll tell you what, I relish it when visiting friends who offer me a cup (though most of them like it too strong–I’m a milk & sugar kind of guy).

This is great, Lillian…so enjoyed witnessing your morning coffee regimen. There’s just something about the aroma of fresh brewed coffee wafting through the house…it feels quite comforting doesn’t it? Our coffee making is with a French press…no paper cone needed…super low tech and simple. We grind our own beans…fresh as you can get. 🙂

I love a french press too — but this chemex glass pot — just a simple carafe with a paper filter — no electric plug or buttons and those 30 seconds of resting are real aromatherapy! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed.

Lillian, I coudl smell the coffee in your haibun! I’m with Bjorn on this one: I always have tea first thing in the morning, and then drink a mug of mocha a little later. However, while we were in Italy, I did drink more coffee, mainly because of the wonderful aroma!

ah, your coffee is strong. 🙂 Your post reminded me of my morning coffee, too, and of that time long ago when there were coffee trees all around our house. My grandmother used to pick the coffee berries, hull, clean, and dry the beans under the sun. When the beans were ready, she would roast them herself then ground them up with an old fashioned mill that attached to her table.

Oh Imelda, thank you so much for stopping by. I love reading about your grandmother and the house with your coffee trees — what a wonderful memory to share with me. Truly appreciate it. And yes, I love my coffee strong — aromatherapy as well as delicious sips. Please stop by again.